Futures

Jimmy Eat World

Futures - Very Good, Based on 2 Critics

The Guardian - 80Based on rating 4/5

80

Somewhere between the teen dreams of Busted and the suburban thrills of Def Leppard lies Jimmy Eat World. Mixing maturity with a fixation with metal, there's an anthemic chorus to match every squiggly, air-guitar solo, and gentle harmonies play off grinding rhythms. It's the perfect combination for the ultimate pop-rock break-up album, and singer-songwriter Jim Adkins jumps neck-deep into heartbreak.

The massive success of Jimmy Eat World's 2001 Bleed American propelled the band into the mass-culture spotlight, with the hit single "The Middle" seemingly popping up in every third movie released and the group turning in an energized performance on Saturday Night Live. Many, many groups followed in their wake, crafting a similar blend of melodic, anguished punk-pop and leaving Jimmy Eat World in the position of crafting a follow-up that set them apart from their acolytes. Futures gets around this dilemma in two ways.